February 10, 2023

In Today's Newsletter...

• Church Happenings - Ash Wednesday is Feb. 22
• Mission & Outreach - Souper Bowl of Caring is this Weekend
• Adult Enrichment - Lenten Small Group Classes forming
• ROOTS Young Adults - Lenten Small Group starting March 1
• Children & Youth - Tall Oaks Camp taking registrations for Summer 2023
• Life of the Church - Church Center is coming!

In his new book “Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How it Can Transform Your Life”, Professor Dacher Keltner describes the importance of “collective effervescence.”* If you have ever been to a major sporting event or concert you have experienced this moment when the crowd moves together with dancing or singing or chanting. Or maybe you were in church at eleven am last Sunday when Swope Parkway’s music director led us in a spontaneous chorus of a well-known spiritual song and the Spirit of God seemed to invade us with surprising joy. “Collective effervescence” seems to have taken its hold on Kansas City in the days leading up to the Superbowl. We realize that whether we are football fans or not, we are part of a city with great team spirit. “Kansas City” that’s us!

Professor Keltner recalls the theologian, Soren Kierkegaard, who often took a break from his weighty philosophical studies and prolific writing to just walk through the streets of the town and observe human life. He said it put him in contact with the significance of insignificant things! As I walk past the new park in my neighborhood and see the children squealing with delight, I can feel what Kierkegaard means. Keltner says that neuroscientists have now conducted studies that show our brains changing patterns as we experience life together with one another.

For me, this brain science reinforces the practices of our faith. We exist not only for ourselves but for one another. We come to life and know God through community. Or as Norman Wirzba says in “The Sacred Life”, “Humanity’s fundamental vocation is to bear witness to God’s love for creaturely life, and to commit to the construction of a hospitable and beautiful world.”

I love this! While each of us may have our own calling: little league coach, volunteer at a community garden, nurse, parent, tutor, pilot, architect, artist, pet owner, spouse, grandparent, manager...all of us can bear witness to God’s love for creaturely life. And all of us can commit time and energy, money and muscle to the construction of a hospitable and beautiful world.

I think in claiming this vocation we inevitably realize that we belong to one another, that we are part of a larger social fabric where the community comes to life. And we are agents of love - givers and receivers of the divine gift of God’s love.

Psalm 42 captures our longing “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” and then the Psalmist remembers being in a large group of people shouting and singing and remembers how “deep calls to deep.”

Grace and Peace,

Carla

* See “On Being with Kristen Tippett” Podcast | Feb 2, 2023 “Dacher Keltner, The Thrilling New Science of Awe"

To send a message to Carla, click HERE.

WORSHIP WITH US

Worship with us in person at 9:01am (sanctuary), 10am (chapel) or 11am (sanctuary)

• Click HERE to view our live stream.
• Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.

Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023

Spiritual Resolutions, Part 5: Find Contentment

Scripture Focus: Phillipians 4:4-14

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE, FEB. 22

Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 6pm in the Sanctuary.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the season of Lent, which ends on Easter Sunday. The 40 days of Lent are a time of pondering our mortality and of remembering our reliance upon God. In many ways, the season corresponds to Israel’s 40 years in the wilderness and Jesus’ 40 days of temptation in the wilderness, both a journey of sorts. The first service of Lent invites us into this journey. Features a traditional imposition of ashes to symbolize the fragile nature of our lives, along with time for confession and prayer. Rev. Tyler Heston will be preaching.

CHURCH HAPPENINGS

LENTEN SMALL GROUP SERIES: QUESTIONS CHRISTIANS ASK

During Lent, Feb. 26 - April 2. we will have an opportunity for the church to take part in small groups that are going over the series “Questions Christians Ask.” These questions are some of the most difficult questions we ask of life and of our faith. Each week, a video will be presented by a clergy member to facilitate small group discussions.

There are multiple opportunities for multiple demographics both online and in-person throughout the week. See the current class options and get signed up at the button below. If you have any questions or want more info, contact Rev. Bryce Bowers.

NEW MEMBER SUNDAY IS FEB. 26

Are you a regular or new visitor ready to connect with our church on a deeper level? Becoming a member leads to being paired with a New Member Host, who will help you get connected, serve, and participate at a level that works for you. Allow the support of our dynamic congregation to deepen and enrich your spiritual journey. Email Barbara George or Rachel Wymore for more details!

TOWN HALL MEETING

Sunday, Feb. 19 | 10am or 12pm, your choice.

Meet In the Social Hall and receive a full update on the building design plans and funding momentum.

BASS CONCERT FEATURING OUR OWN SAM COPELAND

Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, 1pm in the Sanctuary

Sam Copeland, our very own, regionally sought-after bassist, will perform two of the classical bass world’s most cherished pieces: Bottesini’s Bass Concerto no. 2 and Fryba’s Suite in the Olden Style, accompanied by Dr. Matthew Thompson. This 45-minute concert will also feature jazz duets with other KC area musicians. If you like jazz, classical, or music in general, do not miss this event!

OPENINGS LEFT FOR COMMUNITY CAMP!

Christian Community Camp is July 29-Aug. 5, 2023 and we have two private rooms with all bunk spaces available! Join families and individuals from our congregation for a week of hiking, horseback riding, fishing, crafting, relaxing and fun at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. All generations will stay in a lodge with an amazing mountain view and enjoy home cooked meals provided by volunteer chefs from our church. If you don’t like to camp but you love the mountains, this is the place for you. Get more details HERE or email April.

MISSION AND OUTREACH

SOUPER BOWL OF CARING WEEKEND

SERVE at Harvesters on Saturday

Feb 11 10:30am - 12:30pm

Anyone 8 and older are invited to help in the Harvesters warehouse as we sort, pack, and assemble donations to help the community on this super bowl weekend. This annual service day connected to the sporting event is an opportunity to support the many food-insecure neighbors in our community. We will meet at Harvesters 3801 Topping, KCMO.  RSVP to April HERE

DONATE on Sunday, Feb. 12

Be an MVP for our annual “Souper Bowl of Caring” benefiting the Virginia Reed Food Drive. There are several ways to make a touchdown! In recognition of the CHIEFS being in Super Bowl LVII...consider donating $57 -or- the amount you usually spend on snacks for the big game!

• Youth will be at the doors to collect monetary donations as you exit or leave your gift, marked “food drive” in the offering plate during worship.
• Bring cans of hearty soups to the Parlor M-F, 9am - 5pm or Sunday mornings. Be sure to check expiration dates.
• CLICK HERE to donate and choose "Food Drive" from the dropdown.

SAVE THE DATE!

EMBRACING EQUITY: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY GATHERING

Sunday, March 5, 4 - 5:30pm at Country Club Christian Church 

Women of ALL ages, from ALL over the metro area are invited to gather at Country Club Christian Church for a time of connecting, sharing and learning to #EmbraceEquity. This event is in celebration of International Women's Day (March 8) which is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The gathering is in support of Della Lamb Community Services. Please RSVP to Lisa.

GRACE @WORK AT CROSS-LINES COMMUNITY MARKET

Saturday, February 25, 10am - 12pm

Join others to serve at Cross-Lines Community Market (736 Shawnee Ave, KCKS), a CCCC outreach partner. Volunteers will sort, organize, price and stock the market. Tasks are appropriate for most ages, younger volunteers will need a parent or adult to guide them in the work. SIGN UP HERE!

WEEK OF COMPASSION ASSISTING TURKEY-SYRIA

Our prayers are with the people of Turkey and Syria and those with loved ones in those areas. We are thankful for "Week of Compassion", the disaster, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). They are already providing a response for what will surely be an extensive long-term recovery from the devastating earthquake that shook Turkey and Syria on the morning of Feb. 6. The death toll has surpassed 12,000 with over 3000 buildings collapsed.

The work of Week of Compassion is the work of partnership – relationships and systems established over years of response and recovery in impacted communities. They can respond immediately, and for the long haul, because of partners through ACT Alliance and the ACT Syria Forum; and because of partners through Global Ministries, including the Fellowship of Middle East Evangelical Churches, the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, and the Forum for Development, Culture, and Dialogue. These partners will be looking to provide both immediate and long-term support. To donate to Week of Compassion, visit www.weekofcompassion.org.

FEBRUARY COLLECTION CONNECTION

Did you know struggling families receiving government support cannot use those funds for household products and paper goods? This is why our Metro Mission Team regularly asks for donations of essentials like toilet paper and paper towels. They are shared with agency partners like Della Lamb Community Services, Sheffield Place and others. Donations can be brought on Sunday mornings or weekdays from 9am - 5pm.

ADULT ENRICHMENT

PATHWAYS TO LEARNING: Brown v. Board, Then & Now

February 26, 10am in the Social Hall

Join us for a conversation with Lucinda Noches Talbert, whose grandmother Lucinda Todd was one of the original plaintiffs on the Brown v. Board of Education landmark case. Facilitated by Nicole Jacobs Silvey from Connection Coach KC, this all ages opportunity will invite us to think about the history we’ve inherited and how God continues to call us to make the world more whole.

MISS A MONDAY NIGHT CLASS? These classes will be recorded and posted the following Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. on our YouTube channel. Click HERE to catch the new classes when they are published.

Click the SUBSCRIBE button to be notified when new content is posted!

YOUNG ADULTS (Ages 20's to 30's)

SAVE THE DATES!

ROOTS Lenten Small Group Series starts Wednesday, March 1 at 6:15pm.

If you are in your 20s and 30s, take part in a variety of socials, service projects, and opportunities to study the Bible and our faith. Details at linktr.ee/cccckcroots, or @cccckcroots on Instagram.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

THISSATURDAY! BABIES AND BREAKFAST

Saturday, Feb. 11, 9:30-10:30

Children 3 and under, bring your family for breakfast! We will be serving pancakes and have toys available. Come meet parents with children of similar age. This is a free event.

CLUB KIDS (3rd - 5th graders)

• Sunday, Feb. 12: Souper Bowl of Caring during worship services, no evening meeting...GO CHIEFS!

REMINDER! CLUB KIDS TEXTING UPDATES. Stay tuned with all of our activities via text reminders!

Sign up HERE.

TALL OAKS CAMPS 2023

Each year, the Greater Kansas City Region of the Disciples of Christ hosts a variety of opportunities for youth to spend a week out at our regional church camp, Tall Oaks in Linwood, KS. These opportunities invite youth to connect with other Disciples youth from across the metroplex for fun, fellowship, and more. The dates for the 2023 camps are below; find out more and register HERE.

• Chi Rho Camp (6th & 7th graders): July 16-20
• 8ers Camp (8th graders): July 7-13 (this transformative camp offers a faith-based sexual education opportunity that 8th graders do not want to miss!)
• CYF (9th - 12th graders): June 20-25

YOUTH GROUP (Middle & High Schoolers)

SUNDAY NIGHTS (Almost Every) | 4 - 5:30pm

Contact Tyler for more info!

YOUTH DONUTS & DISCUSSION

Sundays at 10am,Youth Center.

Youth are invited to a weekly Sunday morning gathering including donuts (or other sweet treats) and good conversation. Youth will split up into middle school and high school groups for activities & discussion.

Consent & Release Form is required for any youth attending youth ministry events.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CONTINUES | 10 - 10:45am

• Worship & Wonder: Pre-school - 1st grade
• Footsteps in Faith: 2nd - 5th grade
• Donuts & Discussion: 6th - 12th grade

LIFE OF THE CHURCH

Church Center is coming!!! This new program will allow you to more fully engage with our church in the digital space and meet our Next 5 strategic goals. Keep an eye out for more information to come!